EP3527059A1 - Combine harvester and method for the operation of same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a combine harvester (1) comprising at least one cutting unit (2) for cutting plants (4) to be harvested by means of the harvesting machine (1), an inclined conveyor (3) for conveying the cut plants (4) in the direction of a threshing organ (5), as well as a threshing device (5), by means of which fruits can be detached from the cut plants (4) in such a way that the fruits are then detached from plant residues of the plants (4), the inclined conveyor (3) being a rotating drive device ( 6) which, together with at least one channel wall (7) of the inclined conveyor (3), delimits a conveying channel (8) within which the cut plants (4) can be conveyed by means of the conveying device (6), the inclined conveyor (3) having a Measuring device cooperates, by means of which a layer height (9) present within the conveying channel (8) of plants (4) conveyed by means of the inclined conveyor (3) can be detected In order to provide a combine harvester by means of which information regarding the layer height of the cut plants within the conveying channel of the inclined conveyor can be obtained more reliably, it is proposed according to the invention that the measuring device comprises at least one sensor device (10) by means of which the layer height (9) can be detected without contact is.

Description

The present application relates to a combine harvester according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present application relates to a method for operating a combine harvester according to the preamble of claim 10.

Such a combine harvester comprises in particular a cutting unit, an inclined conveyor and further working members connected downstream of the feederhouse. For this purpose, in particular, at least one threshing member should be mentioned, by means of which fruits of cut plants can be removed from the same, so that the fruits are henceforth detached from plant residues of the plants. The mixture of dissolved fruits and plant residues is then typically fed to a separating organ by means of which the fruits, for example grains, are separable from the plant residues. The plant remains are finally ejected to a rear of the combine while the fruits are stored in a dedicated tank.

The inclined conveyor of such a combine harvester has the task to promote the plants cut near the ground in the direction of the threshing organ. In this case, the inclined conveyor usually also has a bundling function in addition to the pure conveying function, since a width of the cutting unit usually exceeds a width of a conveying channel of the inclined conveyor significantly. This has the consequence that the cut plants are brought together after their cut in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the combine and fed to the conveyor channel. An inclined conveyor typically has at least one conveyor, which in turn has at least two opposing rollers and at least one endless belt spanning the rollers. In general, the conveyor comprises a plurality of such rollers and a plurality of these cooperating endless belts. The latter can, for example, interact with a plurality of conveyor strips or blow bars which extend transversely to a conveying direction of the inclined conveyor and are ultimately suitable for engaging with the cut plants and in this way conveying obliquely upward along the conveyor channel in the direction of the threshing member.

For efficient operation of a combine harvester, it is of particular interest to achieve the highest possible throughput of crop in the form of cut plants. A maximum throughput is limited only by the performance of the combine to be able to further process the plants supplied to the threshing organ. It is of particular interest in this case to avoid loss of fruits, in particular of grains, to keep at the lowest possible level. Accordingly, it is already known from the prior art to measure a flow rate of cut plants in the region of the inclined conveyor and in this way, for example, to adapt a driving speed of the combine harvester. This is exemplified in the German patent DE 43 11 054 C2 directed. In said document, a so-called layer height roller is used as a measuring device for detecting a layer height within the conveying channel of the inclined conveyor. This is a mechanical component which is deflected within the conveying channel as a function of the layer height of the cut plants, with a conclusion as to the layer height being drawn as a function of said deflection.

However, the known device has the particular disadvantage that a measuring range which can be imaged with it is limited both downwards and upwards. This is due to mechanical stops of the measuring device or the layer height roller. This may in particular mean that a precise statement about the mass flow of cut plants, which is fed to the threshing member by means of the feeder, within the usually most efficient operating range of the combine is not possible because in the said operating range, the layer height of the cut plants typically such it is high that the layer height roller is already at its upper stop.

Thus, the present application has for its object to provide a combine harvester, by means of which information regarding the layer height of the cut plants within the conveying channel of the inclined conveyor can be obtained more reliably.

The underlying object is achieved by means of a combine harvester with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 9.

The combine harvester according to the invention comprises a measuring device, which in turn comprises at least one sensor device. This is designed such that it is suitable for detecting the layer height of the cut plants within the conveying channel without contact. In particular, the sensor device can have at least one sensor element which is designed as an inductive sensor element.

The combine harvester according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, the determination of the layer height of the cut plants can take place independently of mechanical limitations of the measuring device by measuring by means of the is made without contact sensor device. In this way, the range of detectable layer heights within the conveyor channel is not limited either up or down. This in turn means that information regarding the mass flow of cut plants can be detected more reliably and ultimately the associated combine harvester can be controlled more accurately.

Apart from the pure absolute flow rate of the plants, it has also been found to be relevant in which way these plants are distributed within the conveying channel, that is across a width of the conveying channel, in the inclined conveyor. Thus, it has proved to be disadvantageous if, for example, at the edges of the conveyor channel a particularly high density of the cut plants is present, while in a central region of the conveyor channel only small amounts of the plants are promoted. In addition to an asymmetrical loading of the feeder element connected downstream of the feederhouse, this uneven transverse distribution of the plants has the consequence, in particular, that following the threshing element, a respective downstream separating element is also fed unevenly. This is disadvantageous with regard to the most complete possible separation of the fruit detached from the plant residues by means of the threshing member, since said separation can not be carried out so reliably for a layer lying comparatively thickly on a screen of the separating member, as with a thinner layer on the other hand. In other words, the greater the loss of dissolved fruits, the more concentrated is the mixture of fruits and plant residues originating from the threshing organ on the separating element, which may be in the form of a tray shaker, for example. Accordingly, it has been found to be desirable, in the first instance the threshing organ and especially in the second instance to feed the respective separating organ as evenly as possible with plants in order to bring about the most efficient separation of the detached fruits from the plant residues.

In view of these circumstances, it has been found to be particularly advantageous if the sensor device comprises a plurality of sensor elements distributed over a width of the conveyor channel, by means of which the layer height of the cut plants within the conveyor channel can be detected without contact. Advantageously, at least one of these sensor elements is designed in the form of an inductive sensor element, wherein further preferably all of the sensor elements used are designed as inductive sensor elements. The use of a plurality of sensor elements, which are distributed over the width of the conveyor channel, allows the detection of information regarding the layer height of the plants at various locations within of the conveyor channel. From this at least approximately information about a transverse distribution of the cut plants within the conveying channel can be obtained. This information can then be processed in order, for example, to influence the workpieces respectively downstream of the feederhouse, that is to say in particular a threshing member and / or a separating member, in such a way that the harvesting of the fruits of the plants takes place as efficiently as possible.

In this context, it has furthermore proven to be particularly advantageous if the combine harvester comprises at least one evaluation unit which is connected to the sensor device in data transmitting manner, for example by means of a cable connection or by means of a wireless radio link. The evaluation unit is suitable for evaluating information of the individual sensor elements in such a way that at least approximately information about the transverse distribution of the cut plants within the conveying channel results. Said information relates to at least one transverse distribution over a part of the width of the conveying channel, but preferably a transverse distribution over the entire width of the conveying channel.

In order to dissolve the layer height of the cut plants across the width of the conveying channel as meaningfully as possible and in this way to be able to make a statement regarding the transverse distribution of the cut plants, it is furthermore particularly advantageous if the sensor device comprises at least four sensor elements which are arranged across the width of the conveyor channel are arranged distributed, preferably equidistant.

The sensor elements ausgestaltend it may be particularly advantageous to use at least one elongated sensor strip whose longitudinal axis preferably extends transversely to a conveying direction of the inclined conveyor. By means of such a sensor strip, it is possible to detect information regarding the layer height of the cut plants not only at certain points at a certain point within the conveyor channel, but over a length of the sensor bar across. In this way, the information concerning the transverse distribution over the width of the conveyor channel can be resolved particularly well.

Regardless of the number of sensor elements used, it is also advantageous if the sensor device is arranged outside the conveyor channel. In particular, it is conceivable to arrange the sensor device below a channel bottom of the conveyor channel. This arrangement of the sensor device initially has the advantage that as few as possible internals are located within the conveyor channel, which could disturb the flow of the cut plants through the conveyor channel. Furthermore, the required space can be reduced within the conveyor channel, since in contrast to the prior art, the arrangement of a measuring device within the conveyor channel is no longer required. An arrangement of at least one sensor element on one or on both opposite side walls of the inclined conveyor is conceivable, which is helpful in particular with regard to reliable detection of edge regions of the conveyor channel.

In terms of process engineering, the underlying object is achieved according to the invention by means of a method having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of this method emerge from the subclaims 11 to 14.

The inventive method provides that the layer height of the plants within the conveying channel of the inclined conveyor is detected without contact. This method is particularly easy to implement by means of the combine harvester according to the invention. The resulting benefits are already set forth above. In particular, the non-contact detection of the layer height does not depend on a specific mechanical area, beyond which no further information regarding the layer height can be detected. As a result, a statement on the layer height of the cut plants within the feederhouse can thus be reliably determined independently of a respective operating situation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the layer height is detected at different, distributed over a width of the conveyor channel measuring points. This offers the advantage that, in addition to a mere statement concerning the layer height at a certain point within the conveying channel, at least approximately a statement regarding a transverse distribution of the cut plants over a width of the conveying channel can be made. As already explained above, such information regarding the lateral distribution can be used subsequently to influence the operation of the respective combine harvester in a positive manner, in particular with regard to its efficiency.

Advantageously, the layer height of the cut plants is detected exclusively contactless, that is, without the use of mechanical sensors. In this way, in particular, the conveying channel can be kept free of sensor elements, which could otherwise disturb a flow of the cut plants within the conveying channel and would also take up installation space.

Furthermore, it can be of particular advantage if information acquired by means of the sensor device is evaluated by means of an evaluation unit, so that information about a transverse distribution of the cut plants within the conveying channel results. Said information concerns at least part of a width of the conveying channel, but preferably the entire width of the conveying channel.

Further elaborating the method according to the invention, this information concerning the transverse distribution is relayed to subsequent working elements of the combine harvester, so that these working members can be adjusted to the transverse distribution. In particular, it is conceivable to change at least one operating parameter of at least one working member following the feederhouse as a function of the transverse distribution of the cut plants within the conveying channel.

Fig. 1:

Einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Mähdrescher,

Fig. 2:

Einen durch einen Schrägförderer des in Figur 1 dargestellten Mähdreschers geführten Längsschnitt,

Fig. 3:

Eine isometrische Ansicht des Schrägförderers gemäß Figur 2 von einer Unterseite aus betrachtet und

Fig. 4:

Eine Frontansicht des Schrägförderers gemäß Figur 2.

The combine harvester according to the invention and the method according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the figures. It shows:

Fig. 1:

A schematic cross section through a combine harvester according to the invention,

Fig. 2:

One by a feeder of the in FIG. 1 shown combine longitudinal section,

3:

An isometric view of the feederhouse according to FIG. 2 viewed from a bottom and

4:

A front view of the feederhouse according to FIG. 2 ,

An embodiment that in the FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrated comprises a combine harvester 1 according to the invention, which is equipped at a front end with a cutting unit 2 . By means of this cutting unit 2 , the combine harvester 1 is able to cut plants 4 and then to convey them by means of an inclined conveyor 3 in the direction of a threshing member 5 . A resulting conveying direction 17 is in FIG. 1 graphically illustrated by an arrow. The plants 4 are made of barley. By means of the threshing organ 5 , the cut plants 4 are then threshed so that fruits of the plants 4 detach and are then present separately from plant residues. A portion of the detached fruits is deposited directly in the area of the threshing member 5 by a bottom concave 19 , while the plant residues are forwarded together with fruits mixed therein in the direction of a threshing organ 5 downstream of the separating member 20 . Said separating element 20 is here formed by a Hordenschüttler, by means of which the remaining fruits of the Plant residues are separated and directed to a return tray 13 . At a rear end of the combine harvester 1 , the remaining plant remains are finally ejected.

The inclined conveyor 3 comprises a conveyor 6 , which in turn has opposing rollers 15 and a plurality of endless belts 16 spanning these rollers 15 . Between the endless belts 16 , which are arranged distributed along a width 11 of the inclined conveyor 3 , each support strips 18 extend. These conveyor strips 18 , which are also referred to as blow bars, serve to interlock positively with the cut plants 4 and thereby convey them against the action of gravity upwards in the direction of the threshing member 5 . Overall, the conveyor 6 limits together with three channel walls 7 a conveyor channel 8 , within which the cut plants 4 are promoted. The channel walls 7 are here in particular formed by a channel bottom 21 and two opposite, each perpendicular to the channel bottom 21 arranged side walls 22 . The distance between these side walls 22 of the conveying channel 8 substantially corresponds to the width 11 of the inclined conveyor 3 or of the conveying channel 8 .

Furthermore, the combine harvester 1 according to the invention has a measuring device, which according to the invention is formed here by a sensor device 10 . This sensor device 10 interacts with the inclined conveyor 3 such that it is suitable for detecting a layer height 9 of plants 4 conveyed by means of the inclined conveyor 3 within the conveying channel 8 . In the example shown, the sensor device 10 comprises a total of four sensor elements 12 , which are each in the form of inductive sensor elements 12 . These sensor elements 12 are arranged here outside the conveying channel 8 , wherein the sensor elements 12 are arranged below the channel bottom 21 . An alternative or additional arrangement of sensor elements 12 on one or both side walls 22 is also conceivable. By means of the configuration of the sensor elements 12 as inductive sensor elements 12 , it is possible to detect the layer height 9 of the cut plants 4 in a contactless manner. In this way, it is above all not necessary to arrange a mechanical sensor element within the conveying channel 8 , which comes into direct engagement with the cut plants 4 . The resulting from the use of non-contact sensor elements 12 advantages are already explained above. In the example shown, the delivery channel 8 is filled unevenly with cut plants 4 . This is in FIG. 3 illustrated, wherein the conveying channel 8 is comparatively strongly filled in its two opposite, immediately adjoining the side walls 22 edge regions, that is, the layer height 9 of the plants at least substantially corresponds to a total available height of the conveying channel 8, while the conveying channel 8 in a central region has a contrast significantly lower layer height 9, which corresponds in the example shown about half of the layer height 9 in the edge regions.

The sensor elements 12 are executed in the example shown in the form of elongated sensor strips which are distributed over the width 11 of the conveyor channel 8, wherein a deviating distribution of the sensor elements 12 is of course also conceivable. Consequently, the sensor device 10 is suitable for detecting the layer height 9 at different locations within the conveying channel 8 . From the respective information at individual points of the conveying channel 8 concerning the layer height 9 of the cut plants 4 can then by means of an evaluation unit 14 , which is connected in data transmitting manner with the sensor device 10 , information regarding a transverse distribution of the cut plants 4 within the conveying channel. 8 be generated. In particular, it is conceivable to interpolate linearly or quadratically between the discrete measured values of the sensor elements 12 and in this way to be able to make a statement regarding the transverse distribution as a result. The connection between evaluation unit 14 and sensor device 10 is wireless in the example shown. A wired transmission is also conceivable. As an alternative to elongated sensor elements 12 , it is also conceivable to use at least one, preferably a plurality, punctiform sensor elements.

The elongated sensor element 12 is advantageously oriented with its longitudinal axis oblique to a conveying direction 17 of the inclined conveyor 3 , so that it extends over part of the width 11 of the conveying channel 8 . In comparison to punctiform sensor elements, the possibility is given by means of elongated sensor elements 12 of obtaining information regarding the layer height 9 in a highly resolved manner over a comparatively short distance. This results in the advantage that on the basis of such information by means of the evaluation unit 14, a higher qualitative information regarding the transverse distribution of the cut plants 4 can be determined.

The information relating to the transverse distribution can furthermore be used particularly well to influence the feederhouse 3 downstream working members, for example the threshing member 5 and the separating member 20 , in such a way that at least one operating parameter of at least one of the working members is changed. It is understood that this change in particular aims at an improved handling of the individually transversely distributed within the conveyor channel 8 plants 4 , so that a separation of the detached fruits of plant residues to a as high as possible succeed. In this way, the combine harvester 1 according to the invention can be operated particularly efficiently.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

harvester

2

cutting

3

feederhouse

4

plants

5

threshing

6

Conveyor

7

channel wall

8th

delivery channel

9

layer height

10

sensor device

11

Width of the conveyor channel

12

sensor element

13

Return pan

14

evaluation

15

role

16

endless belt

17

conveying direction

18

conveying strip

19

concave

20

separating element

21

channel bottom

22

Side wall

Claims (14)

Combine harvester (1), in particular a self-propelled combine harvester (1) at least one cutting unit (2) for cutting plants (4) to be harvested by means of the harvesting machine (1), - At least one inclined conveyor (3) for conveying the cut plants (4) in the direction of a threshing member (5), and - At least one threshing member (5), by means of which such fruit from the cut plants (4) are removable, that the fruits are then detached from plant residues of the plants (4), wherein the inclined conveyor (3) has at least one circumferentially drivable conveying device (6) which, together with at least one channel wall (7) of the inclined conveyor (3) delimits a conveying channel (8) within which the cut plants (4) are conveyed by means of the conveying device (6 ) are eligible,
wherein the inclined conveyor (3) cooperates with a measuring device by means of which a layer height (9) present within the conveying channel (8) can be detected by plants (4) conveyed by means of the inclined conveyor (3),
characterized in that
the measuring device comprises at least one sensor device (10) by means of which the layer height (9) can be detected without contact. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (10) has at least one inductive sensor element (12, 13). Combine harvester (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor device (10) comprises a plurality of sensor elements (12, 13) distributed over a width (11) of the conveying channel (8), wherein preferably at least one of the sensor elements (12, 13), preferably all sensor elements (12, 13), as inductive sensor elements (12, 13) are formed. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 3, characterized by at least one evaluation unit (14), which is connected to the sensor device (10), wherein by means of the evaluation unit (14) information of the individual sensor elements (12, 13) are evaluable such that at least approximately information about a transverse distribution of the cut plants (4) within the conveying channel (8) at least over part of the width (11), preferably over the entire width (11), of the conveying channel (8 ). Combine harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor device (10) comprises at least four sensor elements (12, 13), which are preferably arranged equidistantly over a width (11) of the conveying channel (8). Combine harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sensor device (10) has at least one elongated sensor strip (13) whose longitudinal axis preferably extends transversely to a conveying direction (17) of the inclined conveyor (3). Combine harvester (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor device (10) is arranged outside the conveying channel (8), in particular below a channel wall (7) designed as a channel bottom (21). Combine harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the conveying device (6) comprises at least two opposing rollers (15) and at least one endless belt (16) spanning the rollers (15), at least one of the rollers ( 15) is designed rotatably drivable. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveying device (6) has a plurality of transverse to a conveying direction (17) extending conveyor strips (18). Method for operating a combine harvester (1), comprising the following method steps: a) by means of a cutting unit (2) to be harvested plants (4) are cut. b) The cut plants (4) are conveyed by means of an inclined conveyor (3) in the direction of a threshing member (5), wherein within a conveying channel (8) of the inclined conveyor (3) by means of a Measuring device a layer height (9) of the conveyor channel (8) funded plants (4) is detected. c) By means of the threshing member (5), fruits are detached from the cut plants (4), so that the fruits are then detached from plant residues of the plants (4), characterized by the following process step: d) The layer height (9) of the plants (4) is detected without contact by means of the measuring device in the form of a sensor device (10). A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the layer height (9) at different over a width (11) of the conveying channel (8) distributed measuring points is detected. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the layer height (9) is detected exclusively without contact. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that by means of the sensor device (10) detected information by means of an evaluation unit (14) are evaluated such that information about a transverse distribution of the cut plants (4) within the conveying channel (8) at least over a portion of a width (11), preferably over the entire width (11) of the conveying channel (8) is generated. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the information relating to the transverse distribution to subsequent working organs of the combine harvester (1) is forwarded, whereupon at least one operating parameter of at least one subsequent working organ is changed.

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